This is a substantial salad that is good when it is hot. Lavender is fun to use in savory dishes and goes well with fennel. The meaty blandness of the beans and the vinegar of the dressings keep the lavender from being too much. The lavender should come across as a piece of pleasing music...Read More

To me, “white balsamic vinegar” is a bit of a misnomer as one of the things that give balsamic vinegar its particular flavor is the succession of barrels it goes through over time. The white balsamic version is lighter and subtler than regular balsamic vinegar and makes a nice dressing or sauce when you want...Read More

A variation on a quickle, this uses a hot brine to soften up the carrots a little. I enjoy using lavender in savory dishes and find lavender and fennel go well together. INGREDIENTS: 2 cups vinegar, rice, or white wine 1 1/2 cups water 1/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon kosher salt, crushed 1 teaspoon culinary...Read More

Someone once gave me a large box of apples and I needed a way to use them up before they spoiled. I came up with this one morning and the kids loved it. I teach this recipe to middle-school cooking classes, and I enjoy hearing how the students use this dish at home. Sautéed apples...Read More

These muffins are a nice treat for breakfast or lunchboxes and are not very sweet. For an unusual accompaniment for a cheese plate, delete the cinnamon and vanilla and bake in small loaf pans and cut into slices and serve with sharp cheddars and brie. INGREDIENTS: 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil 1/2 cup sugar 2...Read More

Use this dressing with Savoy Cabbage and Apple Slaw. It’s also great with Apple Arugula Salad or a fennel apple salad. INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup cider vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon (or to taste) agave syrup, or other neutral-flavored sweetener 1/2 tablespoon minced shallot 1/4 teaspoon fresh minced thyme or a pinch of dried...Read More

Cabbage and apples are frequently seen in each other’s company in recipes for a reason — they taste really good together. The crunch and sweetness of the apple complement the same qualities of the cabbage, and the earthiness of the cabbage plays up the floral aromas of apples. This slaw is quick, simple, and tastes...Read More

Celery root, also known as celeriac, has to be one of the gnarliest, ugliest, roots we eat. In spite of its lack of physical beauty, when it comes to flavor it can charm. A lighter flavor than branch celery, it still has that fresh green quality that branch celery brings to the table. This salad...Read More

This dish was inspired by a small plate that a chef sent out one hot night almost thirty years ago. It was one of those things where the chef was being thrifty, but I would have paid gladly for this great combination of cool crunch and silky, nutty-flavored sauce. As it was, the waitress brought...Read More

It wouldn’t be fall without the arrival of winter squash! And there are so many wonderful varieties grown on the Central Coast to enjoy. Tips for selecting winter squash: When choosing your squash, look for those that feel heavy for their size and rock hard. Look for squash with deep, lively color with a matte...Read More